96 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
parts of the English seaboard, it appears only as a straggler
off Essex, the sandy shallow shore not suiting its habits.
I have seen many exposed for sale in Norway. As they
are there sold alive, the fishermen, to prevent their becoming
dangerous, cut off a large part of the upper jaw.
Genus Centronotus, Bloch.
Centronotus gunnellus, Bloch. Butter Fish.
This is another fish frequently caught in eel-trawls. I find
it very commonly on the Zostera-covered ooze at Mersea.
Yarrell (British Fishes, vol. i., p. 240) says it is found in the
mouth of the Thames.
Genus ZOARCES, Cuv.
Zoarces viviparus, Cuv. Viviparous Blenny.
Not a rare fish. It is taken occasionally among sprats by
the stow-boat fishermen, also by eel-trawlers.
Family ATHERINIDAE, Gunther.
Genus Atherina, Artedi.
Atherina presbyter, Jenyns. Sand Smelt,
This fish is occasionally captured by the Smelt fishermen
at the mouth of the Colne. In 1886, I saw many specimens,
and an old man engaged in the work told me they were then
more numerous than he had ever before known them to be.
As a rule, we very rarely see them. They are far inferior in
every way to the true Cucumber Smelt.
Family MUGILIDAE, Cuv.
Genus Mugil, Artedi.
Mugil capito, Cuv. Grey Mullet.
Yarrell says (British Fishes, vol. i., p. 202) " it occurs con-
stantly on the Essex coast." I consider it common in the
season all round the coast, entering and passing some distance